Comments from the 1970s about school busing made by former Vice President Joe Biden are resurfacing as rumors swirl the 76-year-old is on the cusp of announcing a run for president.
The Washington Post published Biden's remarks, which he made in 1975 as a freshman Democratic senator representing Delaware.
"I do not buy the concept, popular in the '60s, which said, 'We have suppressed the black man for 300 years and the white man is now far ahead in the race for everything our society offers," Biden is quoted as saying. "In order to even the score, we must now give the black man a head start, or even hold the white man back, to even the race,' I don't buy that.
"I don't feel responsible for the sins of my father and grandfather. I feel responsible for what the situation is today, for the sins of my own generation. And I'll be damned if I feel responsible to pay for what happened 300 years ago."
Biden would not comment to the Post for its story, but his spokesman Bill Russo said Biden insists he was correct in his opposition to busing.
"He never thought busing was the best way to integrate schools in Delaware — a position which most people now agree with," Russo told the Post. "As he said during those many years of debate, busing would not achieve equal opportunity. And it didn't."
It was reported this week Biden is leaning toward announcing his candidacy for president next month. He unsuccessfully ran for president in 1988 and 2008. He then served as vice president from 2009-2017.
Biden already leads the field of Democrats for 2020 in most early polls.
© 2023 Newsmax. All rights reserved.